Big Ideas Gough Whitlam's dismissal — why is it still relevant today?
Nov 11, 2025
In this discussion, Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita of Constitutional Law, shares insights on the legal frameworks surrounding Gough Whitlam's dismissal, emphasizing the importance of constitutional conventions. Historian Frank Bongiorno recounts the civil unrest that followed the event, linking it to modern political crises. Dr. Brendan Lim challenges perceptions of the dismissal's uniqueness, suggesting its relevance to today's constitutional debates. Together, they ponder the implications of historical events on Australia's democracy and the risks posed by populism in governance.
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Mass Protests And Strike Threats
- Frank Bongiorno describes mass strikes and protests after supply was blocked, including 100,000 metal workers and fears of general strike.
- He notes letter bombs and a real sense of potential civil violence in 1975.
The 'Unprecedented' Myth Is Misleading
- Anne Twomey argues the 1975 dismissal felt unprecedented because many precedents were forgotten or undocumented.
- She says state-level crises and archived documents show similar practices long before 1975.
Whitlam's Informal Constitutional Transformation
- Brendan Lim explains Whitlam pursued informal constitutional change via ordinary laws rather than referendums.
- He frames this as changing constitutional practice, not the written text, provoking Senate resistance.
